vamp
1[ vamp ]
/ væmp /
Save This Word!
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
Jazz. to improvise an accompaniment, tune, etc.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of vamp
1OTHER WORDS FROM vamp
vamper, nounvampish, adjectiveWords nearby vamp
valvuloplasty, valvulotomy, vambrace, vamoose, vamose, vamp, vamphorn, vampire, vampire bat, vampires, vampirism
Definition for vamp (2 of 2)
vamp2
[ vamp ]
/ væmp /
noun
a seductive woman who uses her sensuality to exploit men.
verb (used with object)
to use feminine charms upon; seduce.
verb (used without object)
to act as a vamp.
Origin of vamp
2First recorded in 1905–10; short for vampire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for vamp
British Dictionary definitions for vamp (1 of 2)
vamp1
/ (væmp) informal /
noun
a seductive woman who exploits men by use of her sexual charms
verb
to exploit (a man) in the fashion of a vamp
Derived forms of vamp
vamper, nounvampish, adjectiveWord Origin for vamp
C20: short for vampire
British Dictionary definitions for vamp (2 of 2)
vamp2
/ (væmp) /
noun
something patched up to make it look new
the reworking of a theme, story, etc
an improvised accompaniment, consisting largely of chords
the front part of the upper of a shoe
verb
(tr often foll by up) to give a vamp to; make a renovation of
to improvise (an accompaniment) to (a tune)
Derived forms of vamp
vamper, nounWord Origin for vamp
C13: from Old French avantpié the front part of a shoe (hence, something patched), from avant- fore- + pié foot, from Latin pēs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012